A study published in the journal Pediatrics has shown that caffeine in the form of coffee has become increasingly popular among kids and teens.
3 out of 4 kids drink caffeine daily and now more of them are drinking coffee as opposed to the popular Coke or Pepsi product, according to UPI.com.
According to MarketWatch, the study showed that children and young adults ages 2 to 22 are drinking coffee daily. That’s right, kids as young as two drinking coffee!
“Coffee has changed dramatically over the last 10 years in terms of the variety and availability,” says Amy Branum, a health statistician for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “There are a lot of drinks out there that are going to be more available and appealing to children.”
The more popular option before coffee took its place was soda. However, now soda is associated with diabetes and obesity and it is becoming harder to access at school, so many kids are switching to a cup of joe to get their caffeine fix. Many see coffee as a healthy caffeine alternative, but when combined with high amounts of milk and sugar, any health benefits are canceled out.
Up until recent years, soda accounted for the majority of caffeine consumption in youngsters. However, caffeine consumption through soda declined from 62 percent to 38 percent between 1999 and 2010.
Though many may see this as something harmless, caffeine is an addictive drug and small children are becoming dependent on it. It is certainly a subject that should demand attention form parents in the US.